Florida Trend Exclusive
When ice melts
More than two-thirds of Earth is covered in water, and it’s this resource that connects hot, humid Florida to icy Greenland. With its low elevation and 8,436 miles of coastlines — the second-most in the country behind Alaska — Florida is especially vulnerable to the sea level rise produced in Greenland and beyond. Amid that looming threat comes an advocate: Nova Southeastern University, whose main campus is in the Fort Lauderdale area, wants to position itself as the state leader in sea level rise research, data and communication. [Source: Florida Trend]
Business Beat - Week of November 7th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Florida to reopen bay nationally known for its oysters
North Florida’s Apalachicola Bay will reopen for wild oyster harvesting, a move that supporters hope will breathe life into one of the last historic working waterfronts in a state where much of the picturesque coastline has long given way to high-rise condos and strip mall souvenir shops. The closure of the bay along what is known as Florida’s “Forgotten Coast” dealt a blow to an area that historically produced 90% of the state’s oysters and 10% of the nation’s supply. [Source: AP]
Florida among States with longest work weeks
Floridians need a break, according to a recent study. A recent research study by global executive search firm Keller analyzed and ranked U.S. states with the longest working hours. They used 2022-2024 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the average hours were calculated to determine the states where Americans are the busiest bees. Florida was the only southern state besides Texas to make the top five, with the majority being midwestern states. [Source: Islander News]
Florida amendment fight pauses as judge’s ruling looms
The legal fight over Florida’s tough new rules on amending the state constitution has hit the brakes, as a federal appeals court waits on a trial judge’s decision that could make the whole dispute disappear. Groups including Florida Decides Healthcare (pushing for Medicaid expansion) and Smart and Safe Florida (adult-use marijuana) have been fighting HB 1205, a new law that went into effect July 1. It brought stricter penalties and deadlines for petition groups. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Get paid to cash in your PTO — if you go to St. Pete-Clearwater beaches
Visit St. Pete-Clearwater is giving travelers the ultimate incentive to cash in those unused vacation days: up to $250 cash for booking a vacation to the area before the end of the year. It’s a simple offer. Book a trip to St. Petersburg or Clearwater through VisitSPC.com/PTO for any time before the end of 2025, and the tourism bureau will give you a $50 digital Visa gift card for each day of your stay, up to five days.
› Florida rocket launch record set to fall this weekend with SpaceX, Blue Origin liftoffs
The annual orbital rocket launch record on Florida's Space Coast is about to fall by the wayside for the fourth straight year, with the unprecedented 94th liftoff poised to occur this weekend. The record-shattering 94th launch is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8 — a full 53 days ahead of last year's pace. To top it off, Blue Origin hopes to launch its second New Glenn rocket Sunday, Nov. 9.
› ‘Huge’ pump station marks Everglades restoration progress
The completion of a reservoir essential to Everglades restoration will come years ahead of schedule thanks to the early groundbreaking on a “huge” new pump station, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday. DeSantis celebrated the groundbreaking during a visit in western Palm Beach County and said that because of a July agreement that allows the state to take over construction of key restoration projects, the EAA Reservoir will be completed five years ahead of schedule, in 2029 instead of 2034.
› JEA responds to government shutdown by halting late fees
JEA is suspending late fees and easing other financial relief criteria in response to the federal government shutdown. Jacksonville’s public electric, water and wastewater utility said in a news release that it will not apply late fees to customers’ bills beginning Thursday until further notice. Jacksonville Today thanks our sponsors. Become one. Utility officials also announced it would be easing criteria for customers to qualify for payment extensions and payment arrangements.
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› Port Canaveral expects $255 million in capital projects next year amid growth in cruise industry
As Port Canaveral continues to see more cruise and cargo traffic, CEO Capt. John Murray said they are strengthening infrastructure to keep up with the growth. This year, saw the 100th million cruise passenger in the port's history, Murray told the business and community leaders, elected officials and port partners who gathered at the annual State of the Port presentation, held Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Cruise Terminal 10.
› Jacksonville-based Drummond consolidating printing in Atlanta
Drummond, previously known as Drummond Press, announced Oct. 30 that it has consolidated its print manufacturing into two of its Atlanta production facilities while retaining headquarters and warehousing in Jacksonville. It has listed its Rail Yard District property for sale. “The decision to concentrate print manufacturing in Atlanta represents a strategic shift designed to better serve our customers,” said John Falconetti, Drummond chairman and CEO.
› Surf park plan hits breaking point: It’s a no-go in Boca Raton
A plan to bring a surfing oasis with huge, manufactured waves just off I-95 in Boca Raton is no longer under consideration after residents raised concerns. Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District commissioners had recently agreed to move forward with a surf park destination at North Park, the former Ocean Breeze golf course at Boca Teeca. The project, simply called Boca Surf Park, was originally proposed to include a programmable wave system fitting up to 80 surfers per hour, a coaching hub, food and drink offerings, wellness areas, volleyball courts and an “adventure zone.”
› Venice takes bold step to end Golden Beach flooding with $14M drainage plan
The city of Venice took the first step toward improving persistent flooding issues in the Golden Beach neighborhood on Oct. 28, when it purchased a drainage easement to an undeveloped quarter-acre lot on Flamingo Ditch. Purchase of the lot, which will be used to improve the retention capacity of Flamingo Ditch, as well as a location for real-time water-level monitoring of the drainage outfall, was one of several recommendations made by Coastal Protection Engineering in a feasibility study on drainage improvements for Flamingo Ditch.